Rofin DQ 010 Q-Switched Laser Outputs 1kW Of Power

Rofin has added the DQ 010 to its range of high power DQ Q-switched solid-state lasers. The high-performance lasers of the DQ series are suitable for surface applications such as ablation, cleaning and insulation, with other applications currently in development. The 1kW output power and increased pulse peak performance of the DQ 010, which are 1,000 times higher than CW powers, reduce cycle times and ultimately operating expenses. The DQ 010 can be integrated with beam switches or power-splitter modules, allowing the use of one beam source in several different production lines.

This reduces initial investment cost, while the increased efficiency of the beam source lowers the ongoing running costs. The high average power makes it an efficient tool for selective material removal. It is ideal for solar-panel ablation, mould cleaning, material coating removal and surface-treatment of flat screens. The DQ series can offer power ranges of 500, 800 and 1kW. The ablation of the aluminium-silicon coatings from manganese-boron tailored blanks is a typical application where Rofin DQ series lasers offer an effective alternative to traditional sand-blasting or chemical-etching processes.

Compared with conventional steels, the tensile strength of these steels, especially following heat treatment, is much greater, reducing material thickness without reducing the strength of the finished part. The automotive industry has been using these features to reduce weight, which in turn reduces fuel consumption and helps protect the car. The aluminium-silicon coating had prevented these materials from being used for tailored blanks. The reason aluminium-silicon coating is applied to these steels is that a zinc coating would vaporise at the temperatures (in excess of 900C) required for processes such as hot stamping on these materials.

This would leave the material susceptible to scaling and corrosion. The aluminium-silicon coating however does have its own disadvantages, as it combines with the base material during laser welding and therefore must be removed prior to welding. Rofin DQ series Q-switched lasers can remove the aluminium-silicon coating from manganese-boron steels at impressive rates. The lasers can be coupled with fibre optics of 600 or 800 square-microns.

Compared with round fibres, square fibres provide the highest efficiency by machining a larger area for each pulse. Combined with an integrated scanner, ablation rates up to 100cm2/s are achievable across a diverse range of applications. Every DQ laser is equipped with an optical attenuator for constant pulse energy and long-term stability control. This key feature optimises application processes by ensuring that the pulse energy remains constant. The new DQ 010 will have its debut at the Laser fair in Munich from 15-18 June 2009.